Measures are already in place to boost surveillance around Christmas Island and improve rescue capabilities there to prevent another asylum seeker boat tragedy, the federal government says.
West Australian Coroner Alastair Hope on Thursday announced his findings following an eight-month inquest into the deaths of 50 people who were aboard a boat that crashed into rocks on the island on December 15, 2010.
He recommended increased surveillance to detect approaching asylum seeker boats along with better rescue vessels and equipment for police and rescue volunteers on the island.
Responding to his findings, Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said they would be the subject of exhaustive consideration by the federal government.
They noted that many recommendations from three other government inquiries into the tragedy had already been implemented and some of them overlapped with the coroner's 14 recommendations.
Mr Smith said the coroner's report would be a tragic reminder of the terrible events for families of the victims and for the naval and customs personnel who put themselves at risk to save lives.
He said he was pleased the coroner had underlined the bravery of those men and women of HMAS Pirie and ACV Triton.
Mr Clare said that since the tragedy Customs had doubled the number of vessels available around Christmas Island during the monsoon season and had stepped up aerial surveillance for asylum seeker boats.
Trials of a land-based radar were also underway on the island to boost surveillance, he said.
Search and rescue equipment on the island was also in the process of being improved including new rescue vessels and improvements to boat ramps.
"We do need to do much more to reduce the risk of people dying at sea," Mr Clare said, noting cases of other asylum seeker boats sinking with loss of life.
"These aren't just numbers, they're people, they're mums, they're dads, they're children.
"It's incumbent upon all of us, the Labor Party and the Liberal Party, to work together to do everything we possibly can to reduce the risk of people dying at sea."
